Análisis de las creencias epistemológicas de estudiantes colombianos según variables sociodemográficas y educativas / Epistemological beliefs of Colombian students according to educational and socio-demographic variables / Análise das crenças epistemológicas de estudantes colombianos segundo variáveis sociodemográficas e educativas

El objetivo principal del presente estudio es analizar y caracterizar la influencia de las variables educativas y sociodemográficas sobre el grado de desarrollo de las creencias epistemológicas (CE) en estudiantes universitarios y de último año de bachillerato. Para conseguir este objetivo se administró un instrumento llamado EQEBI, que mide las CE a una muestra de 1.387 alumnos en Bogotá (Colombia). La metodología utilizada fue cuantitativa y no experimental. Para comparar las CE de acuerdo con los grupos conformados según las variables analizadas, se utilizaron las pruebas estadísticas no paramétricas de Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis. Los resultados indican diferencias significativas en las CE por sexo, nivel socioeconómico y nivel educativo de los estudiantes y de sus padres. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias según el entorno de procedencia (rural o urbano), ni por la repetición de curso. Este estudio tiene implicaciones para el diseño de programas educativos específicos, según las características de los alumnos, que favorezcan el desarrollo de las CE.

The main goal of the present study is to analyze and characterize the influence of educational and socio-demographic variables on the Epistemological Beliefs (EB) of senior year and university students. With this aim, an instrument that measures EB, called EQEBI, was applied to a sample of 1387 students in Bogota-Colombia. The methodology used was quantitative, non experimental, and the nonparametric statistics tests of Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis were used to compare the EB according to the groups formed by the variables analyzed. Results indicate significant differences in EB by sex, socioeconomic status and educational level of students and his parents, but no differences according to the environmental background (rural or urban) and grade repetition. This study has implications for the design of specific educational programs, according to the characteristics of students, to encourage the development of EB.

O objetivo principal do presente estudo é analisar e caracterizar a influência de variáveis educativas e sociodemográficas sobre o grau de desenvolvimento das crenças epistemológicas (CE) em estudantes universitários e do último ano do ensino médio. Para atingir esse objetivo, administrou-se um instrumento chamado EQEBI, que mede as CE a uma amostra de 1.387 alunos em Bogotá (Colômbia). A metodologia utilizada foi quantitativa e não experimental. Para comparar as CE de acordo com os grupos formados segundo as variáveis analisadas, utilizaram-se as provas estatísticas não paramétricas de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. Os resultados indicam diferenças significativas nas CE por sexo, nível socioeconômico e nível educativo dos estudantes e de seus pais. Contudo, não se encontraram diferenças segundo o ambiente de procedência (rural ou urbano) nem pela repetição de curso. Este estudo tem implicações para o desenho de programas educativos específicos, conforme as características dos alunos, que favoreçam o desenvolvimento das CE.

[Prognosis in pediatric traumatic brain injury. A dynamic cohort study]. / Pronóstico del traumatismo craneoencefálico pediátrico. Estudio de una cohorte dinámica.

BACKGROUND: traumatic brain injury is a main cause of hospital admission and death in children. Our objective was to identify prognostic factors of pediatric traumatic brain injury. METHODS: this was a dynamic cohort study of traumatic brain injury with 6 months follow-up. The exposition was: mild or moderate/severe traumatic brain injury, searching for prognosis (morbidity-mortality and decreased Glasgow scale). Relative risk and logistic regression was estimated for prognostic factors. RESULTS: we evaluated 440 patients with mild traumatic brain injury and 98 with moderate/severe traumatic brain injury. Morbidity for mild traumatic brain injury was 1 %; for moderate/severe traumatic brain injury, 5 %. There were no deaths. Prognostic factors for moderate/severe traumatic brain injury were associated injuries (RR = 133), fractures (RR = 60), street accidents (RR = 17), night time accidents (RR = 2.3) and weekend accidents (RR = 2). Decreased Glasgow scale was found in 9 %, having as prognostic factors: visible injuries (RR = 3), grown-up supervision (RR = 2.5) and time of progress (RR = 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: there should be a prognosis established based on kinetic energy of the injury and not only with Glasgow Scale.

Introducción: en los niños con traumatismo, las lesiones craneoencefálicas son las principales causas de hospitalización y muerte. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar los factores pronóstico del traumatismo craneoencefálico en los niños. Métodos: cohorte dinámica con seis meses de seguimiento. El trauma craneoencefálico se estratificó como leve o moderado-severo, se identificó morbilidad y se realizó evaluación con la escala de coma de Glasgow. Se estimó riesgo relativo (RR) y regresión logística para factores pronóstico. Resultados: se identificaron 440 pacientes con trauma craneoencefálico leve y 98 con moderado-severo; se observó morbilidad en 1 y 5 %, respectivamente. No hubo defunciones. Los factores pronóstico para el trauma moderado-severo fueron los siguientes: lesiones relacionadas (RR = 133), fracturas (RR = 60), accidentes en la calle (RR = 17), horario nocturno (RR = 2.3) y fin de semana (RR = 2). Se presentó deterioro en la puntuación de Glasgow en 9 %, con los siguientes factores pronóstico: lesiones visibles (RR = 3), supervisión por adulto (RR = 2.5) y tiempo de evolución (RR = 1.6). Conclusiones: en los niños con trauma craneoencefálico debe establecerse el pronóstico según la energía cinética de la lesión y con la escala Glasgow.

Prognostic factors in hemodialysis patients: experience of a Havana hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of prognostic factors in end-stage renal disease patients has improved dialysis management and methods for reducing morbidity and mortality, underlining the importance of identification, prevention and control of these factors. OBJECTIVE: Identify factors affecting prognosis (survival or death) in hemodialysis patients at the Medical-Surgical Research Center in Havana over a ten-year period. METHODS: Descriptive, prospective study of 81 end-stage renal disease patients who received hemodialysis at the Medical-Surgical Research Center from 1995 to 2004. Prognostic factors were identified at initiation of and during dialysis treatment, using chi square, t test, McNemar test, Kaplan Meier analysis, log-rank test and Cox regression model, with significance threshold set at p <0.05. RESULTS: Hypertension and diabetes were the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. Six patients were referred late. Mean survival was 4.4 years; with survival of 86.6%, 54.7% and 26.6% at one, three and five years respectively. Factors predictive of decreased survival that were most frequent at initiation of hemodialysis were hypertension and chronic anemia (both present in 95.9% of cases); malnutrition, hypoalbuminemia, cardiovascular disease and chronic liver disease increased during treatment while hypertension decreased. In multivariate analysis, prognostic factors that significantly predicted decreased survival were hypertension, inadequate vascular access and diabetes. Patients aged ≥ 60 years and those with malnutrition, hypoalbuminemia, anemia, cardiovascular disease or liver disease had lower survival figures at the end of the study period. Leading causes of death were infections (45.2%) and cardiovascular disease (41.9%); the latter was present in 93.5% of deaths, independent of underlying cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Survival of hemodialysis patients diminished at five years. Some negative predictive factors are present at initiation of hemodialysis, such as diabetes, hypertension and chronic anemia; others increased later, including malnutrition, hypoalbuminemia, cardiovascular disease and liver disease.

Effects of Lansbergs hognose pit vipers (Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni) venom on renal ultrastructure in experimental mice

Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni species occurs at Tropical level (800 meters altitude) in Margarita Island, Venezuela. It seems to be constrained to this island. Two different species; Porthidium lansbergii rozei and P. lansbergii lansbergii live in the mountains surrounding the Cordillera de La Costa in mainland Venezuela. The principal damage and the main complication in fatal cases of Viperidae snakebites in Venezuela is acute renal failure (ARF) secondary to acute tubular necrosis. Kidney alterations in Porthidium snakebite human victims have concerned inconspicuous considerations. There is not literature description of Porthidium venom activity on the renal structure. The purpose of this study was to determine how intraperitoneal Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni venom injection into mice could lead to severe renal injury.[...](AU)

Effects of Lansberg’s hognose pit vipers (Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni) venom on renal ultrastructure in experimental mice

Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni species occurs at Tropical level (800 meters altitude) in Margarita Island, Venezuela. It seems to be constrained to this island. Two different species; Porthidium lansbergii rozei and P. lansbergii lansbergii live in the mountains surrounding the Cordillera de La Costa in mainland Venezuela. The principal damage and the main complication in fatal cases of Viperidae snakebites in Venezuela is acute renal failure (ARF) secondary to acute tubular necrosis. Kidney alterations in Porthidium snakebite human victims have concerned inconspicuous considerations. There is not literature description of Porthidium venom activity on the renal structure. The purpose of this study was to determine how intraperitoneal Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni venom injection into mice could lead to severe renal injury.[...]

A pilot study of HPV DNA and cytology testing in 50,159 women in the routine Mexican Social Security Program.

INTRODUCTION: We present a large feasibility evaluation of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) DNA testing and cervical cytology as a primary screening strategy for cervical cancer precursor lesions in Mexican women, as part of a routine cancer control program (CCP). METHODS: A community-based study was carried out in 50,159 women aged 20-70 years who visited the CCP in 12 federal entities located in Northern, Central, and Southern Mexico, including a total of 48 primary health care units of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Cervical specimens for cytology and HR-HPV tests were collected at baseline. Women with cytological abnormalities (ASCUS or greater) were referred to colposcopy for further evaluation and treatment if necessary. A subset of HR-HPV-positive women without cervical lesions, in Morelos state, were tested again for HR-HPV DNA within a year, and repeat-positive women were referred to colposcopy. RESULTS: HR-HPV prevalence among all women was 8.6% (95% CI: 8.3-8.9). Prevalence by age group was 12.2% (95% CI: 11.0-13.3) before 30 years of age and decreased to 7.4% (95% CI: 6.7-8.0) between 46 and 50 years of age. A second minor prevalence peak (8.1%; 95% CI: 7.2-9.0) was observed in women more than 55 years of age. Overall prevalence of cytological abnormalities was relatively low (2.2%; 95% CI: 2.0-2.3) with the highest frequency of abnormal cytology (ASCUS or greater) in the 41-45 year age group (2.5%: 95% CI 2.1-2.7). No correlation between cervical abnormalities and HR-HPV prevalence, by region, was observed. A total of 370 (0.7%) women had an abnormal cytology as well as a positive HR-HPV result; 736 (1.5%) had an abnormal cytology and a negative HR-HPV test; 3,941 (7.9%) women had a positive HR-HPV test and a normal cytology; and 45,112 (89.9%) women were negative in both tests. The first two groups were immediately referred to colposcopy, 72.7% of the women from the cytology-positive and HR-HPV-positive group and 58.0% from the cytology-positive and HR-HPV-negative group successfully completing evaluation. Among the 269 cytology-positive and HR-HPV-positive women, 53 (19.7%) CIN2/3+ cases were detected, whereas among the 427 cytology-positive and HR-HPV-negative participants, only 13 (3.0%) CIN2/3+ cases were documented. In Morelos state, a sample of 287 women with a negative cytology smear and a positive HR-HPV test at baseline were re-screened after ~12 months, by means of cytology and HR-HPV testing. Among these women, 106 (36.9%) were again HR-HPV positive and were referred to colposcopy. Of whom, 76 (71.7%) were successfully evaluated; among these women, 9 CIN2/3+ (11.8%) were documented. Sensitivity of cervical cytology for detecting histologically confirmed CIN2/3+ cases was only 40.0% (95% CI 38.5-41.4) compared to 93.3% (95% CI 92.5-94.0) for HPV DNA testing considering the additional cases detected among women with persistent HPV infection. The specificity of cytology was 97.0 vs. 89.2% for the HPV DNA test. DISCUSSION: Population-based programs using HR-HPV testing can improve cervical cancer prevention and control in Mexican and other populations where cytological screening is inadequate for detecting precursors of cervical cancer.

Cytotoxic and anti-infective sesquiterpenes present in Plagiochila disticha (Plagiochilaceae) and Ambrosia peruviana (Asteraceae).

A pharmacological screening of the ethanol extract and fractions of two Peruvian medicinal plants, Plagiochila disticha and Ambrosia peruviana, led to the isolation and characterization of three ENT-2,3-secoaromadendrane-type sesquiterpenoids, named plagiochiline A ( 1), I ( 2), and R ( 3), as well as of two pseudoguaianolids, damsin ( 4) and confertin ( 5), which exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against a panel of human tumor cell lines. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 were also investigated for their in vitro antileishmanial, trypanocidal, and antituberculosis activity against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes and Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes, as well as against MDR and sensitive strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively.

Inhibition of the hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities of Lansberg's hognose pit viper (Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni) venom by opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) serum: isolation of Didelphis marsupialis 0.15Dm fraction on DEAE-cellulose chromatography.

Earlier studies have revealed the ability of sera from several mammals to neutralize the toxic effects of snake venom. The Venezuelan opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) is one that has been found to inhibit hemorrhagic and proteolytic activities of venoms from many species of snakes. In this article it is shown that the opossum sera and its 0.15DM fraction were able to completely neutralize both hemorrhagic and hydrolysis (proteolysis) of casein effects induced by venom of the Lansberg's hognose pit viper (Porthidium lansbergii hutmanni). We have used DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography to collect protein fractions from D. marsupialis sera which were able to defend mice from the lethal effects of P.l. hutmanni venom. The fractions separated were homogeneous by conventional electrophoresis using SDS-PAGE. The protein bands obtained contained molecular weights of approximately 6 to 220 kDa. These results revealed the presence of proteases inhibitors in the opossum sera fractions and the inhibition of venom activity by opossum sera suggesting a reciprocal adaptation at the molecular level.

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of Bixa orellana in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of Bixa Orellana (BO) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. One thousand four hundred and seventy eight patients presenting moderate LUTS associated to BPH were interviewed, from whom we selected 136 to fulfill the criteria of inclusion and exclusion. Assignation was performed at random in blocks of four to receive B0 at a dose of 250 mg 3 times a day or placebo (Pbo) for 12 months, 68 patients were assigned to each group. From the patients in the study we obtained data of demographic, epidemiologic, symptom score, uroflowmetry and post void residual urine variables. RESULTS: Basically both groups were compared clinically, demographically and biochemically. Throughout the study variations of symptom score, mean delta symptom score during each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO - 0.79 +/- 1.87 and Pbo - 1.07 +/- 1.49) (p = 0.33). Similarly variations of Qmax mean, Qmax average delta and final average delta were similar (BO 0.44 +/- 1.07 and Pbo 0.47 +/- 1.32) (p = 0.88). Variations of post void residual urine mean, post void residual urine average delta in each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO 4.24 +/- 11.69 and Pbo 9.01 +/- 18.66) (p = 0.07). No differences were found in the answers of clinically significant improvement assessed with relative risk and risk differences, even though the proportion of adverse effects was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with BPH that present moderate LUTS did not show any benefit receiving BO when compared to placebo.

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study of bixa orellana in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms associated to benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of Bixa Orellana (BO) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) presenting moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study. One thousand four hundred and seventy eight patients presenting moderate LUTS associated to BPH were interviewed, from whom we selected 136 to fulfill the criteria of inclusion and exclusion. Assignation was performed at random in blocks of four to receive B0 at a dose of 250 mg 3 times a day or placebo (Pbo) for 12 months, 68 patients were assigned to each group. From the patients in the study we obtained data of demographic, epidemiologic, symptom score, uroflowmetry and post void residual urine variables. RESULTS: Basically both groups were compared clinically, demographically and biochemically. Throughout the study variations of symptom score, mean delta symptom score during each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO - 0.79 ± 1.87 and Pbo - 1.07 ± 1.49) (p = 0.33). Similarly variations of Qmax mean, Qmax average delta and final average delta were similar (BO 0.44 ± 1.07 and Pbo 0.47 ± 1.32) (p = 0.88). Variations of post void residual urine mean, post void residual urine average delta in each visit and the final average delta were similar for both groups (BO 4.24 ± 11.69 and Pbo 9.01 ± 18.66) (p = 0.07). No differences were found in the answers of clinically significant improvement assessed with relative risk and risk differences, even though the proportion of adverse effects was similar for both groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with BPH that present moderate LUTS did not show any benefit receiving BO when compared to placebo.

Alterations in the ultrastructure of cardiac autonomic nervous system triggered by crotoxin from rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus cumanensis) venom.

This study explored the toxic effects of crotoxin isolated from Crotalus durissus cumanensis venom on the ultrastructure of mice cardiac autonomic nervous system. Mice were intravenously injected with saline (control group) and crotoxin diluted in saline venom (study group) at a dose of 0.107 mg/kg mouse body weight. Samples from the inter-ventricular septum were prepared for electron microscopy after 6 h (G1), 12 h (G2), 24 h (G3) and 48 h (G4). The G1 group showed some cardiomyocyte with pleomorphic mitochondria. Capillary swollen walls, nerve cholinergic endings with depleted acetylcholine vesicles in their interior and other depletions were observed. A space completely lacking in contractile elements was noticed. The G2 group demonstrated a myelinic figure, a subsarcolemic region with few myofibrils and nervous cholinergic terminal with scarce vacuoles in their interior. The G3 group demonstrated a structure with a depleted axonic terminal, mitochondrias varying in size and enhanced electron density. In addition, muscular fibers with myofibrillar structure disorganization, a depleted nervous structure surrounded by a Schwann cell along with an abundance of natriuretic peptides, were seen. An amyelinic terminal with depleted Schwann cell and with scarce vesicles was also observed. Finally, axonic lysis with autophagic vacuoles in their interior and condensed mitochondria was observed in the G4 group. This work describes the first report of ultrastructural damage caused by crotoxin on mice cardiac autonomic nervous system.

Antimicrobial activity of selected Peruvian medicinal plants.

The antimicrobial activity of 36 ethanol extracts from 24 plants, all of them currently used in the Peruvian traditional medicine for the treatment of several infectious and inflammatory disorders, was tested by means of the agar-well diffusion assay against four bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and four fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Sporothrix schenckii). Twenty-five (69%) extracts showed some degree of antimicrobial activity against at least one microorganism. The plants with the greatest antimicrobial activity were Cestrum auriculatum L. Heritier (Solanaceae), Iryanthera lancifolia Ducke Suesseng (Myristicaceae), Lepechinia meyenii (Walp.) Epling (Lamiaceae) and Ophryosporus peruvianus (Gmelin) King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae).

Posibles factores asociados con la neuropatía epidémica en Cuba / Possible factors associated with eppidemic neuropathy in Cuba

A partir de los 115 enfermos atendidos por neuropatía epidémica entre el 15 de marzo al 30 de abril de 1993 en el Centro de Investigaciones Médicos Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) de Ciudad de La Habana, fueron seleccionados aleatoriamente 114 controles en la comunidad. En el análisis univariado se encontró asociación significativa sobre todo con el hábito de fumar (razón de disparidad = 3,45 [intervalo de confianza al 95 porciento = 1,85-6,35]) y el consumo de grasa comestible de procedencia no certificada (razón de disparidad = 2,77 [intervalo de confianza 95 porciento = 1,34-5,8]). Fueron ratificados todos en el análisis de regresión logística multivariada y se encontró además asociación (razón de disparidad=8,88 [intervalo de confianza 95 porciento=2,58/30,55]) con la presencia de anticuerpos frente al virus Coxsackie A-9 cepa 47, entre 182 individuos que tenían examen serológico. Todo parece indicar que el factor tóxico derivado del hábito de fumar, unido a deficiencias de algunos nutrientes por los cambios ocurridos en la dieta, así como el contacto con el virus aislado en 1 de los pacientes facilitaron la expresión clínica de esta enfermedad y por consiguiente en el origen de la epidemia

Factores asociados a la no curabilidad de la neuropatía epidémica en Cuba / Factors associated with the non-curability of epidemic neuritis

Se encuestaron y reexaminaron 59 pacientes en el hospital Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) 1 a después de la epidemia de neuropatía. Se investigaron los posibles factores asociados con la ocurrencia, para ser estudiados con la persistencia de la enfermedad, incluido el título de anticuerpos de 33 de ellos, que tenían serología previa contra el agente biológico (cepa 47/IPK) aislado del líquido cefalorraquídeo de un paciente afectado. Una cuarta parte de los pacientes (15 casos) continuaban enfermos, se destacaban la pérdida de peso y el hábito de fumar como los factores más asociados con la persistencia de las manifestaciones clínicas de neuropatía epidémica. A pesar de que el pequeño número de pacientes que acudieron al chequeo constituyó una limitante del estudio, éste es un documento básico de la situación existente 1 a después de ocurrido el problema

Control de calidad de la "uña de gato" / Quality control in Uncaria tomentosa products

Objetivo: Determinar el contenido de alcaloides en las preparaciones con contenido de uña de gato. Material y métodos: Se seleccionaron al azar, 34 preparados comerciales de uña de gato del mercado de Lima, Perú. Se determinó el contenido de alcaloides por método gravimétrico. Resultados: El análisis químico del contenido de alcaloides mostró una gran variabilidad, con valores que van de 18 a 370mg de alcaloides totales por 100g de corteza. La dosis individual resultó variar entre 0.04 y 1.3mg. Conclusiones: Se discute la información existente y se concluye que es cuestionable la supuesta efectividad de muchos de los preparados al alcance del consumidor.

Actividad cicatrizante del látex de Jatropha curcas (Angiospermae: Euforbiaceae) / Cicatrization effect of Jatropha curcas latex (Angiospermae: Euforbiaceae)

The wound healing effects of Jathopha curcas latex upon surgical wound produced in Balb/c mice skin, were studied with a modification of the Hoowes-Sooy-Harvey method. The effects of topical treatment using single 50 ul doses of latex at different dilutions (10 per cent to 100 per cent) was compared with a multiple dose treatment (four 25 ul/dose q12h, latex 5 per cent to 100 per cent). The single dose treatment with 10 per cent, 50 per cent or 100 per cent latex and the multiple dose treatment with dilutions between 5 per cent and 10 per cent, have a healing effect but only on males. The multiple dose treatment with 50 per cent or pure undiluted latex produced caustic lesions to treated skin

Flora bacteriana cervicovaginal en mujeres sanas: estudio cualitativo en mujeres no grávidas, grávidas y puérperas / Cervico vaginal bacterial flora in healthy woman: qualitative study in non-pregnant women, pregnant women and in puerperium

Del 1o. de febrero al 31 de julio de 1985, de la Consulta Externa de Gineco-Obstetricia del Hospital General Universitario, aplicando estrictos criterios de inclusión, se seleccionaron 59 pacientes sanas, 30, no embarazqadas y 29 grávidas. Durante el mismo tiempo se identificó a 30 pacientes puérperas que llenaron los criterios de inclusión. A las pacientes seleccionadas se les tomó muestra para cultivo tanto de cérvix como de vagina. Los resultados revelan un elevado porcentaja de bacterias potencialmente patógenas tales como Enterobacterias, S. aureus, y Bacteroides sp. Se observó que existe diferencia en el patrón bacteriano cervico vaginal inducido por el embarazo y el puerperio. Se analizan las posibles implicaciones clínicas de estos hallazgos

Estudio de los polisacaridos en la fase sexual gametofíco del alga roja / Polisacarides study in gametofitic sexual phase of red algae

En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado el contenido polisacárido de Gymnogangros furcellatus, una phodophyto abundante en el litoral peruano, considerando sus fases sexuales masculino y femenino. La especie fue recolectada en abril de 1982 en las playas de Ancon-Lima. La obtención del polisacárido se realizó la extracción con agua a 120 c y precipitación con alcohol, alcanzando un rendimiento de 59.2 por ciento para la fase masculina y 61 por ciento para la femenina. El polisacárido de la fase masculina fue insoluble en KCI 0.25 M, mientras que el de la fase femenina fue soluble por lo que fue tratado con barohidruro alcalino y subfracciondo , rindiendo 56 por ciento de fracción insoluble y una fracción menos (26 por ciento) permaneció soluble en dicha sal. La hidrolisis de los polisacácaridos en medio ácido y cromatografía en papel dio galactosa como única unidad monosacáarida. El espectro infrarrojo de los polisacáridos mostró la presencia de 3,6-anhidrogalactosa a 930 cm-1, sulfato en hidroxilo secundario axial a 850 cm -1 y 3,6- anhidridogalactosa-2- sulfato a 805 cm-1.